Tag Archives: Tam

I’ll keep this wee bit short and sweet. Wolfgang (with hauners from a certain Mr Balor/Devitt/Prince) is the reason this blog exists today. His match with Prince Devitt at ICW Hadouken was the first thing in a long line of things that brought back my passion and excitement for wrestling. Without that show it might never have happened. So to have the chance to interview the big man and to have him quite excited to do it was a buzz and a half. Probably my favourite thing about doing this so far. Fanboy shite out the road, Wolfgang has been a busy boy over the past year or so. Knocking fuck out his cousin and playing a pivotal part in the rise of ICW and Scottish Wrestling in general. I asked the big sexy bastard some inane questions and he answered them. Those answers are contained below. Enjoy.

Generic opening question. How did you get into wrestling, what made you pursue it as a career, and how did it lead you to try to kill your cousin by hanging him by the neck from the top of a cage? Sorry. That’s not quite as generic as this question usually is, but equally important.

A generic answer to a generic question. I’ve always loved wrestling since I can remember. Growing up I had two videos, Mega Matches and Royal Rumble ’91. Grew up playing wrestling out my back garden, ruining my Mums couch cushions by throwing my mates into them outside. Me and a few friends including Tam had our own we wrestling thing going. Until I learned how dangerous it was. My dad brought me the record with an article of Jake Roberts, who was in the country working. He mentioned BCW in East Kilbride, where I trained for almost 10 years. I took to it as naturally as I had thought I would, and was soon getting bookings on shows. To grow up from the age of 14 in and around wrestling has been very rewarding. Going from wrestling Tam in the back garden to wrestling him in the Barrowlands and inside a steel cage at the ABC will always be a fond achievement for me.

You wrestled Prince Devitt at ICW Hadouken in 2012. That was my second ICW show, and even though I’d enjoyed them, I reckon that match was the one that got me hooked. Is it a match you look upon fondly yourself or am I romanticising it?

The match with Devitt in 2012 was a big night for me. I hadn’t seen too much of his work before, but I was well aware of the reputation he carried. I had my work cut out for me and I had a point to prove. Dallas had put the responsibility of showcasing the guy who was/ is regarded as the best in the world on his debut for ICW. It was a challenge I was more than happy to take on. It’s always refreshing to go in the ring with someone better than you, and it always makes you raise your game. If I could wrestle Prince Devitt every night I would. We ended up winning ICW match of the year for that, and I believe it was because of what Devitt brought out in me that night is why I was also awarded wrestler of the year by ICW

WATCH IT RIGHT NOW OR YOU’RE BANNED FROM SNAPNEXXX. Even if you’ve seen it before. This is not optional

We spoke to Red Lightning recently about the GPWA, so wanted to get your take on it as well. How did your involvement in it come about?

GPWA was an opportunity that I threw myself at head first. It’d always been something I thought I would eventually do, and that I would enjoy it. Once I got the go ahead, that we could open a wrestling school, I head hunted the rest of the coaches. Each one of us brings something unique to the table, as well as a universal knowledge and experience of professional wrestling. Personally it’s reignited a passion for wrestling training again. I think we have created a great programme where aspiring pro wrestlers can learn their craft. I look forward to every training day at the asylum, and what the future has to bring.

What have you made of the trainees so far? With your second intake starting a few weeks ago you’ll probably have a fair idea of how the original group have fared.

Now we’re half way through our 2nd intake’s introduction programme, it’s been good to see comparisons in each class. The first group were very impressive, almost all of the starting team moved on to the main class. They have continued to show commitment and hunger for their training at the asylum. Intake 2 is full of exciting talent, if they all move on we are on to a great start. It doesn’t stop there though as we are continuing to gain interest from the Scottish wrestling scene. We are all overwhelmed by the response so far and I want to thank everyone that has shown their support for us so far.

For anyone thinking of signing up, here’s a photo of one of the trainers hitting another one with a plancha off the top of the cage. This is the kind of stuff you (probably wont) be learning.

Your focus has shifted from going after the ICW Title, to knocking lumps out your cousin over the past year. As captivating as the feud with you and BT has been, is the focus going back on the big belt now the match at the Square Go is done? How did you rate the cage match up against the other belters you two have had?

After finishing my feud with Tam in ICW at the Square Go, I want to focus on keeping my strong position on the card. I’ve done everything worth doing in Scottish wrestling, it to hold the ICW heavyweight title would be the pinnacle of my time in wrestling. I’ve had chances in the past and been unsuccessful, though I’ve never been this focused on my direction in ICW. I had the chance to face Drew when he was first back, in Dundee during the Magical Mystery Tour. This was before he beat Jester at the Barras. He beat me that night, though I know if I raise my game I could take that belt off him. Though I can’t just demand a title shot, I need to earn that. If that means going after everyone on the card, bring it on.Lets be honest, who else can catch cunts mid air and powerslam them? Damo probably. Mossy. Everycunt could probably do it to Lou King Sharp too, but BT Gunn isnae a flyweight and check Wolfy powerslamming him into next week here. What a match. Get ICW On Demand right now and get it watched.

Speaking of the BT feud, I know you totally hate him and all that right now. I’m sure Christmas Dinner was indeed a tense affair, but how much have you enjoyed being able to create such compelling things in wrestling with someone you’re related to? Has this current run between you been the best yet, or as there some hidden gems we might not know about? (fuck, thats about 3 questions in one, just pick yer favourite and answer that one)

Working with BT Gunn over the past year or so has been my favourite time in wrestling. We had a few matches together early on for BCW, SWA. The first time we did it in ICW was my favourite match from then on. I challenged for his ICW Heavyweight title on April 1st, 2012 in the Garage. As much as I enjoyed the match hold it in high regard, it was over shadowed by Ice Man’s retirement match. So we knew that we worked well together, and that if we were permitted, we could create a good run together. I didn’t imagine we’d go through what we did though. We had to raise the bar every time, to do better than the last time. We used every opportunity we were given to make sure folk remembered us. If that meant throwing him off a balcony, or wrapping a chan round out necks and hanging each other, so be it. The icing on the cake was ofcourse the cage match at the ABC. Never thought I’d ever do that. Can’t wait to do it again.

What are your long-term aspirations in wrestling? In terms of size, and athletic ability, you’re quite unique. Not many 19 stone guys can clear the top rope with big death-defying dives. Is there designs on experiencing wrestling outwith the Scottish/UK scene?

A long time ago I let go of any aspirations to going to America. After that I never applied myself outwith Scotland. Red Lightning once told me “we don’t need to go over there, I think something bigs gonna happen here”. He was right I guess. We aren’t making mega money, we aren’t flying round the world, but we have come a long way and we aren’t loosing steam. From here on out, if I never wrestle again, I’m proud to have been part of what Scottish wrestling has become. If I helped that at all, I can say I achieved something worth while.

And I’m………..spent

ICW go back on tour early this year. Tell us why you think everyone should shift their hole and get some tickets to some shows?

ICW is the most exciting thing going right now. If you aren’t already a fan, you don’t know what you’re missing. There’s something for everyone at ICW. Whether you’re a wrestling fan, a former fan or even had no prior interest in wrestling, I guarantee you will enjoy ICW. It has some I the best wrestlers in the world, from new talent to established world wide performers and even some famous faces show up unannounced. That’s ICW’s thing, they give the fans what am they want to see.

Favourite match of your own to date? And favourite match generally if you have one? If you don’t have a favourite for either, feel free to use this space for drawing a picture, or scribbling down a limerick.

The collection of matches with BT Gunn over the last fued are all favourites of mine, my favourite being the dog collar. My personal favourite match is Austin v HBK Wrestlemania 14. It was when I was most into wrestling I think, or at least that started my love of it. Had a poster of Tyson holding up Austin’s hand at the end and you see Michaels in the background sparkled. If anyone had that, I’ll buy it.

Mania 14 is my favourite Mania. I think this makes me and Wolfie best pals. Or we’ll at least nod at each other the next time I see him. I did ask him oot for a pint one night, and he said he’d rather impale himself baws first on the top rope. I didnae believe him so he snapchatted me this. I don’t have snapchat, so he sent me it via post and 5 days later I literally and figuratively got the picture.

HERE’S THE REAAAAAL BREAKING BAWS

Scottish wrestling has gone through a bit of a boom period over the past couple of years, with the growth seeming to continue upward. Is there a hope that one day wrestling can be your full-time job while located in the UK?

If Scottish wrestling continues to grow the way it is, there’s every chance the main stay guys can make this their full time job. I’m in a position now that between working at the asylum and wrestling for the regular running shows across Scotland, I could consider to try and make a go of it, though the La Cala is still my job.

Last but not least. Anything you want to tell us about (like any upcoming gigs for your new band featuring wolves as backing singers…Wolfgang and The Wolf Gang….that sort of thing) feel free to do that here.

Thanks for your interest and time, always enjoy reading your stuff. Hope you get that book published. I’d also like to thank everyone that’s supported Scottish wrestling these past few years. It’s because of your passion and belief in the cause that pushes myself and the rest of the guys to put on the best show possible. Everyone that has achieved anything these past few years owes it to your support. Cheers.

What a lovely, passionate man Wolfgang is. Quite cool to be thanked for my time by a guy who’s entertained me time and time again with all that good wrasslin stuff. A touch taken aback tbh. This is the bit where I usually thank the person involved for doing it..so aye….cheers Wolfy! Here’s a picture of you doing a sexy big dive to finish us off

EAAAAAGLE

Follow Wolfgang on Twitter hereLike his fanpage on facebook hereLike the GPWA page hereEh….I dunno. Go to the La Cala and stare longingly intae his eyes if you want to take it to the next level of creepy.

As always, huge thank you to David J Wilson for the images. All credit goes to him and his wonderful talents.